自從一九○三年美、巴兩國締結了巴拿馬運河條約之後，七十餘年來，這條長達五十 一英里的國際性水道就一直是兩國不睦的主要來源。巴拿馬人民視美國在運河區的地 位為「帝國主義」的象徵；而美國人民則不願將經營了四分之三個世紀的運河拱手攘 人。雙方的爭執到了一九七八年才有了轉機。該年九月，美巴兩國元首在華府簽署了 巴拿馬運新河新約，結束了長久以來的運河衝突。本論文先從歷史上對運河問題作扼 要回顧，繼而對運河新的萌芽、背景、簽署、內容、批准及影響分別陳述，最後除了 探討若干爭論已久的問題外，還就個人心得提出數項結論。全篇一冊十章，除導論及 最後兩章外，另分十八節，約六萬餘字。

In terms of macroeconomic developments, the economic status in the Caribbean Region is largely driven by the global economy as well as developments in the US. Going forward, tourism is expected to remain as a key economic driver for the Caribbean region. Furthermore, the US is likely to continue to play a major influence. The bunkering industry in the Caribbean has been developing steadily for decades due to its popularity as a cruise ship destination and transshipments hub for east-west and north south cargo shipping routes. The enlargement of the Panama Canal is further expected to change competition dynamics between the region’s bunkering centers as a result of increase in shipping traffic and larger vessels. The shipping industry is the major demand driver for bunkering. It should be noted that both container liner and cruise sector as the two largest demand segments are concentrated. So in TL Blue Oceans LTD. our goals would be that our decision factors by ship operators with respect to bunkering operations and critical concerns can be summarized by 8 attributes: • 1 Bunker quality • 2 Market transparency (corruption free) • 3 Bunker price competitiveness • 4 Reliability and punctuality of bunker suppliers • 5 Bunkering facilities and services (adequacy and efficacy) • 6 Availability of all fuel grades including low-sulphur bunkers • 7 Location of port • 8 Government policies (e.g. quality control) and incentives